The R&A and USGA have set out to address the trend of increasing teeing distances and lengthening courses, which they believe threaten the long-term sustainability of golf and undermine the basic principle that a broad and balanced set of skills for the game should remain the primary determinant of success in golf, ensuring that distance does not become predominant in the balance of skills required in golf.

For this reason, the R&A and the USGA have proposed a Model Local Rule (MLR) that gives competition organizers the option of requiring the use of golf balls tested under modified hitting conditions.

This RLM is intended to be used only in elite competitions and will have no impact on amateur golf, should it be implemented.

The announcement of this proposed RLM, still under review, has been sent to golf equipment manufacturers, following the equipment regulation procedures established by golf's governing bodies. If approved, this RLM would come into effect in January 2026.

Golf balls that conform to this RLM should not exceed the current limit of 290 meters (317 yards) under certain hitting conditions.

All other balls, including those commonly used by amateur golfers with lower swing speeds, would continue to be tested using the current existing conditions.

According to the governing bodies, the distance has increased by an average of approximately one meter per year over the last 20 years. This measure is expected to reduce the teeing distance by an average of 13-14 meters for longer hitters, who are capable of striking the ball with higher clubhead speeds.

The results of extensive research – contained in the Distance Insights report – show, among other things, that the general trend of golf courses to become longer has adverse consequences, including increased cost and time to play, limiting the progress of sustainability efforts and reducing the challenge of the courses, and in some cases creating a risk of them becoming obsolete.

Finally, the Annual Stroke Distance Report also reflects an average year-over-year increase of 4 percent in distance across the seven tours, with all but the Japan Golf Tour and the LPGA Tour reporting higher averages. The Korn Ferry Tour recorded the highest annual average of all tours in 2022, at 281 meters.